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Thing-a-week: 5: Progress on the AHM centercab... Journals/Blogs
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Active Member 88 posts Pflarrian Active Member 88 posts
Pflarrian

Well, a new week dawns, and with it progress on my On30 centercab kitbash.

As you can see, I carefully cut the hoods from the shell (making sure to resize the one so they match in length), then sanded them square. The chassis shell has a new deck cut from .020" styrene. I carefully cut away the center steps on the corners so there is only one step now instead of two (yes, I should add a little platform on those steps - haven't gotten that far yet), and cut notches into the new deck plating so the steps are still useable.

The next four steps are going to be the "fun" ones. I have to:

- Build a new cab (windows on the sides, doors alongside the hoods)

- Cut the original weights down so they still fit under the hoods with the new couplers in place (they stick into where the weights used to fit)

- Rewire the mechanism to run off the pantograph, and I may take the time to add a selector switch so I can swap between track and overhead power

- Add the pantograph and roof details (air tanks and so forth).

Any suggestions for details I may have missed? Also, note that the hoods do have those odd vertical grills near the ends. I'm debating covering those with .010" styrene. One of the more common nits people pick with my electrics is that they tend not to have a lot of "vents" in the hoods....

 - Brian
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Bernd MRH Author 5,576 posts
Bernd

The Cab

Brian,

Have you thought of using a cab from Boulder Valley Models?

http://bouldervalleymodels.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=44

I think you have the details well covered.

Nice project. Looking forward to when it's finished. I started work on a HOn30 box cab electric using a Kato 4 wheel drive. Hopefully I'll get it done in this life time.

Bernd

New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds - NCSWIC
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Pflarrian Active Member 88 posts
Pflarrian

Cab thoughts...

Hello, actually I am using one of Dallas' cabs as a rough template to make my own (for size purposes, mostly). Not because I don't like them - I have several and one of my favorite centercab bogie motors (still a work in progress) has one, but because I have a specific look I am going for with this motor. I actually want to emulate the original cab in the new one, with an angled roof like some of the CF7 rebuilds had/have.
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Pflarrian Active Member 88 posts
Pflarrian

Thing a week delay of DOOOOM... (I.e., lack of progress)

Yeah, three weeks of having the head cold that is going around will make it hard to want to work on anything. That said, I did get the cab cut out and assembled except for the roof. However, I will have to shelf the project for the time being until I can get my hands on some wire and tiny slip connectors so I can wire it for both 2-rail and for overhead draw using a DPDT I have on hand. Therefore, whether I like it or not, it is on hold. In the meanwhile, I have decided to resume work on a different project. GHT (Greyhaven Tramway) #18 was SUPPOSED to be GHT #8, but I mucked up the lettering. So the new project will be to redo the lettering, touch up the paint, and contemplate any other mods I might want to do. Pictures will be coming at a later time...
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Wv Railbaron New member 9 posts
Wv Railbaron

Center cab

Brian, I have a completed version of this model tha can be seen on Joey Ricard's video we did on battery power. I did not make it wider as you did with your overlay. The window openings were expanded and cab was raised with pieces added to fill in height difference. I added a airtank on one side of cab with 2 exhausts made of 1/8 inch tube over a Q tip sliding the tube over the Q tip until slightly aboe the cab height. the notch that is access to the screw in the frame I placed a dress makers pln that has the ball over the notch. It looks like a breather or filler to the motor.

Steve Sherrill
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